Planning Work Begins On Saint Francis Muskogee Hospital Expansion

Saint Francis Hospital plans to invest another $150 million into their Muskogee campus, adding a tower with 125 new patients beds, a new entrance and chapel, and new critical care facility.

The announcement means Saint Francis will not only stay in Muskogee, but expand; not just keep the staff they have but add more. According to Mayor Marlon Coleman, it solidifies Muskogee's place as a regional hub for healthcare.

“It's going to make a major impact on the economy of Muskogee” he said.

Saint Francis took over operations at the hospital in Muskogee five years ago and has since invested $85 million to improve it, pay the staff more, and buy new equipment, according to Administrator Michelle Keeling.

“So as we turn to the future, this is really our biggest investment, engagement, improvement yet, so this represents the largest investment in healthcare that Muskogee has seen in decades” she said.

The expansion at Saint Francis comes as the Veteran’s Administration considers closing the Montgomery VA Center in Muskogee, and move most healthcare services to Tulsa. Mayor Coleman said it proves Muskogee needs more, not less access to healthcare.

As part of the agreement to expand, Saint Francis dropped a tax dispute with the City and agreed to provide more financial support for outreach programs.

The new construction and remodeling work at the Muskogee campus will take several years. In that time, the VA is expected to decide what services it will provide locally - and what will be moved out.